Folding and creasing mechanism for a case making machine



c. SCHRAMM 3,009,179

FOLDING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR A CASE MAKING MACHINE Nov. 21, 1961 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 29.- 1959 llliilllt i il 0 INVENTOk CARL SCHRAMM fwd Me AT TOR/V578 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 C. SCHRAMM FOLDING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR A CASE MAKING MACHINE Nov. 21, 1961 Filed July 29, 1959 Nov. 21, 1961 c. S CHRA-MM 3,009,179

FOLDING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR CASE MAKING MACHINE Filed July 29. 1959 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOP CARL SCHRAMM ATTORNEYS c. 'SCHRAMM 3,009,179

FOLDING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR A CASE MAKING MACHINE Nov. 21, 1961 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 29. 1959 INVENTOR CARL SCHRAMM A T TOPNEVS c SCHRAMM 3,009,179

FOLDING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR A CASE MAKING MACHINE Nov. 21, 1961 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 29. 1959 TOR MM [wwwdo CARL Tw n 1' 4e ATTORNEYS 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 A65 PM 1? i c. 'SCHRAMM FOLDING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR A CASE MAKING MACHINE Nov. 21, 1961 Filed July 29. 1959 F/GII/ FIG/6' c. SCHRAMM 3,009,179

FOLDING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR A CASE MAKING MACHINE Nov. 21, 1961 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 29. 1959 lllfl'llllllilllll'lllllili! ll Illllllliif'l'ii'lil'ila Nov. 21, 1961 c. SCHRAMM 3,009,179

FOLDING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR A CASE MAKING MACHINE Filed July 29. 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet a FIG. 22 5 212 9/3 if H6123 WI Z ifz 67 Xf 54 .m 4 INVENTOR I CARL SCHRAMM 6L4" 0 BY A T TOR/VETS Nov. 21, 1961 c. SCHRAMM 3,009,179

FOLDING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR A CASE MAKING MACHINE Filed July 29. 1959 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 MZZ 4 6, a x 'mm 97 2 an 9:6 WW4) lNl/EN rap CARL SCHRAMM W 41 c AT TOR/VEVS Nov. 21, 1961 c. SCHRAMM 3,009,179

FOLDING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR A CASE MAKING MACHINE Filed July 29. 1959 12 Sheets-Sheet 1O m we /049- M56 5 g 3 CARL -I I PQa I M Z /Z\ mza M 2172) BY MM: W i mm /056 ATTORNEYS (1 SCHRAMM Nov. 21, 1961 FOLDING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR A CASE MAKING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed July 29, 1959 INVENTOR /05e CARL SCHRAMM W Fill,

.A TTORNEYS C. SCHRAMM Nov. 21, 1961 FOLDING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR A CASE MAKING MACHINE Filed July 29. 1959 1,2 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTOR CARL SCHRAMM WWW arronusrs United States Patent 3,009,179 FOLDING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR A CASE MAKING MACHINE Carl Schramm, North Coventry, Conn., assignor to The Srnyth Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Conn., a

corporation of Connecticut Filed July 29, 1959, Ser. No. 830,424 14 Claims. (Cl. 11-2) This application is a continuation-in-part of the copending application, Serial No. 743,713, filed June 23, 1958, and entitled Case Making Machine, which application has resulted in Patent No. 2,925,612 dated February 23, 1960.

At one stage during the making of a case for a book, the cover boards are positioned in proper relationship with each other and they have been assembled with a cover cloth which may be either two sections or a single piece. The cover boards are above the cover cloth and said boards and cloth constitute an assembly wherein the edge portions of the cover cloth project beyond the edges of the cover boards. The invention relates to a folding and creasing mechanism of general utility but particularly adapted for folding the projecting cover cloth portions around the edges of the cover boards.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple folding mechanism that acts to simultaneously fold two opposite cover cloth portions tightly around two opposite edges of the cover boards.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism such as last above set forth wherein a device that transfers the assembly to the folding position is utilized to assist in folding.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a folding mechanism of the stated type wherein resilient means is provided for momentarily maintaining pressure between the folded cover cloth and the cover boards.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in conjunction with the folding mechanism, a mechanism for pressing or creasing the partly folded cover cloth so as to insure subsequent smooth folding during a second folding operation.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and from the following specification and claims.

The drawings show two embodiments of the invention and such embodiment will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the constructions disclosed, and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the right portion of a case making machine which includes the folding and creasing mechanism embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the corn ponents of a case for a book and indicating the operations performed thereon at various stations of the case making machine which stations are designated as I, II, III and IV.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the components of said case at the same stations as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and showing the same components of said case, but indicating the operations performed at other stations of the case making machine which stations are designated as V, VI and VII.

FIG. 5 is a front view similar to FIG. 3 and showing the components of said case at the same stations as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevational and sectional view 3,009,179 Patented Nov. 21, 1961 taken from the right, the sectional portion of the view being along the lines 6-6 in FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 1, this view showing various parts at station IV.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary partly schematic sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but showing the second step of folding procedure.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, but showing the third step of folding procedure.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13, but showing the fourth step of folding procedure.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14, but showing the fifth step of folding procedure.

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15, but showing the sixth or final step of folding procedure.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the lower left corner of a case for a book immediately following the first folding operation.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 18-18 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 17, but showing the same corner after the creasing operation.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 20-20 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary plan view taken along the line 21-21 of FIG. 1, this view showing various parts at station V.

FIG. 22 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 22-22 of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary rear view taken in the direction of the arrows 23-, 23 in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged plan view of one of the creasing devices shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the creasing device as shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary view similar to a portion of FIG. 22, but showing some of the parts in different relative positions.

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary plan View taken along the line 27-27 of FIG. 1, this view showing various parts at Station VI.

FIG. 28 is a fragmentary front View of some of the parts shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a transverse sectional view showing an alternative embodiment of the invention, this view being taken toward the left at the line 29-29 of FIG. 30 and approximately at the line VI of FIG. 1.

FIG. 30 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 29, this view corresponding generally to FIG. 27.

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary front view of the mechanism shown in FIGS. 29 and 30'.

FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 31, but showing the parts in different relative positions.

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary enlarge-d vertical sectional view taken along the line 33-33 of FIGS. 29 and 34.

FIG. 34 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the lines 34-34 of FIGS. 31 and 33.

FIG. 35 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of one fold bar as shown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 36 is a vertical sectional view of the fold bar taken along the lines 36-36 of FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is a vertical sectional view of the fold bar taken along the line 37-37 of FIG. 35.

FIG. 38 is a vertical sectional view of the fold bar taken along the line 38-38 of FIG. 35.

FIG. 39 is a fragmentary partly schematic sectional view somewhat similar to FIG. 11, but taken along the line 39-39 of FIG. 30.

FIG. 40 is a view similar to FIG. 39, but showing the second step of folding procedure.

FIG. 41 is a view similar to FIG. 39, but showing the third step of folding procedure.

FIG. 42 is a view similar to FIG. 39, but showing the fourth step of folding procedure.

FIG. 43 is a view similar to FIG. 39 but showing the fifth step of folding procedure.

FIG. 44 is a view similar to 'FIG. 43, but showing the retention of the partly folded case until engaged by another transfer device.

Sequence of operations-FIGS. 1 t

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a front elevational view of the right portion of a case making machine, this right portion of the machine including the folding and creasing mechanisms to which the present invention relates. The machine has a sequential series of horizontally spaced stations, the distance between stations being uniform and being sometimes hereinafter referred to as the primary distance. In the making of a case for a book, the various case components are fed to stations in one portion of the machine and are transferred by station-to -station movements to stations in another portion of the machine wherein various operations take place.

FIGS. 2 to 5 schematically show the operations at the several machine stations and more particularly show those for making cases having three-piece cloth covers.

At station I as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, cover boards A and B and a center board C are fed transversely into a predetermined assembled relationship wherein they are spaced as shown.

At station II a precut backstrip E which may be formed of cloth is fed transversely. The term cloth is herein used in a generic sense and is intended to include not only cloth but also all flexible material suitable for the purpose. The backstrip is glued on its upper face before reaching the position shown. When the backstrip E is in place, the boards A, B and C are transferred from station I without change in relative positions and are placed on the glued backstrip B.

At station III a cover cloth is glued and is fed transversely into the position shown. The term cover cloth is intended to include either a single sheet or two separate sheets or sections such as the sections F, F. The cover cloth, whether in one piece or in two sections, is precut and is fed transversely to the position shown. The cover cloth, whether in one piece or in sections, has beveled corners as shown, and the cover cloth is glued on its upper face before reaching the position shown. The boards A, B and C and the backstrip E are transferred from station II to station III without change in relative positions and are placed on the glued cover cloth or cover cloth sections F, F at said station III.

At station IV portions of the previously glued cover cloth are folded around two opposite exposed edges of the cover boards A and B. The folding mechanism at station IV folds the front and rear edge portions of the cover cloth rearwardly and forwardly around the front and rear edges of the cover boards A, B and C as shown at G, G in FIGS. 2 and 3. Said cover cloth has been previously glued and the portions G, G therefore adhere to the cover boards. The folding mechanism that folds the front and rear portions of the cover cloth also folds the front and rear portions of the backstrip. Station IV is sometimes hereinafter designated as the first folding station.

Station V may be provided for pressing or creasing the partly folded cover cloth along the edges of the cover boards A and B that remain partly exposed after the first folding at station IV. When the first folding is at the front and rear of the cover boards, the creasing or pressing is at the side edges of said boards as indicated at H, H, in FIGS. 4 and 5. This pressing or creasing in sures the subsequent smooth folding of end edge portions of said cover sections. Station V is sometimes hereinafter designated as the creasing station.

At station VI the portions of the cover cloth that were not folded at station IV are folded around the remaining exposed edges of the cover boards A and B. When the front and rear portions of the cover cloth were folded at station IV, as is preferred, the right and left side por tions are folded at station VI toward the right and toward the left around the left and right edges of the boards A and B as shown at I, I in FIGS. 4 and 5. The cover cloth has been previously glued and the portions I, I therefore adhere to the boards. The ends of the folded portions I, I overlap the ends of the folded portions G, G. Station VI is sometimes hereinafter designated as the second folding station.

Station VII constitutes a receiving position for the completed cases. At this station there is preferably provided a conveyor mechanism which moves the completed cases forwardly.

General organization-FIG. 1

FIG. 1 shows the portions of the machine at stations IV, V and VI, and incidentally at station VII. The present invention does not relate to the portions of the machine at stations I, II and III, and these last said portions are shown in said Patent No. 2,925,612 but they are not shown herein.

The machine comprises a main bed or frame 10 which is supported on a base 11. The frame 10 preferably comprises spaced vertical front and rear plates 12 and 13 as more clearly shown in FIG. 6, these plates being connected by crossbars 14. Said frame 10 directly or indirectly carries the various operative parts of the machine.

Mounted in suitable bearings in the fame 10 is a longitudinal power and cam shaft 15, preferably located about midway between the front and rear plates 12 and 13. Said shaft 15 is so driven that it makes one rotation during each machine cycle, and said shaft operates several different mechanisms, all as hereinafter described. An electric motor 16 serves to drive the shaft 15 and also other parts of the machine. The motor is connected by a belt or chain 17 with a pulley 18 on a transverse shaft 19 which carries a pinion 20. The pinion 20 meshes with a gear 22 on a transverse shaft 24. A bevel pinion 26 on the shaft 24 meshes with a bevel gear 28 on said longitudinal cam and power shaft 15.

There is also provided a longitudinal power shaft 30 which extends along the frame 10 at the front of the frame plate 12, and this shaft is also driven by the motor 16. A pinion 32 on the shaft 19 meshes with a gear 34 on a transverse shaft 36. A pinion 38 on the shaft 36 meshes with a gear 40 on a shaft 42, and this shaft carries a bevel gear 44 which meshes with a bevel gear 46 on said shaft 30.

A handwheel 48 is eonnectible with the shaft 19 by meshing bevel gears 50 and 52. This handwheel may be used to manually operate the machine for set-up and other purposes.

Station-to-station transfer 111ec/zanism-FIGS. 1 and 6 As before stated, the components and partial or complete assemblies for each case to be made are transferred from station to station and toward the right. A transfer mechanism is provided on the frame 10 which mechanism includes a means reciprocable in a fixed path during each cycle and adapted for substantially simultaneously engaging case components and assemblies at each of the stations and for thereupon moving the engaged components from the several stations without changes in the relationship of the components with each other.

The reciprocable means of the transfer mechanism includes a horizontal longitudinal transfer rail 54 above the several stations and includes various pickup or transfor devices on said rail. Means is provided which is automatically operable during each cycle for effecting one complete longitudinal reciprocation of the rail 54 between trailing and leading positions spaced apart by said primary distance. The several pickup or transfer devices carried by the rail 54 are all spaced apart by said primary distance and they are respectively above the several stations when the rail is in its said trailing position. Means is provided which is automatically operable during each cycle and when the rail 54 is in or near its trailing position for moving said transfer devices downwardly and then upwardly to enable them to engage and lift case components at the several stations, and the last said means is also automatically operable during each cycle and when the rail 54 is in or near its leading position for moving said transfer devices downwardly and then upwardly to enable them to deposit case components at various stations and at a receiving position, the components so deposited having been transferred from preceding stations.

The rail 54 is supported on the frame and, more particularly on the rear plate 13 thereof, by two similar uprights. One of these uprights is shown at 56 in FIG. 1 and is more fully shown in FIG. 6. Each upright carries a bracket 60 which is guided for vertical movement along said upright. By means to be described, the rail 54 and the several transfer devices thereon are reciprocated horizontally relatively to the brackets 60 and by other means to be described the brackets 60 and the rail 54 and the devices thereon are reciprocated vertically. In FIG. 1, the rail and the transfer devices are shown in their upper trailing positions.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 6, a cam disc 68 is carried by the shaft 15, and a lever 70' is pivotally mounted on the frame 10 by means of a longitudinal shaft or pivot pin 72. The pivot pin may extend lengthwise of the machine to serve as a pivot for other levers. Said lever 70 carries a roll 74 engaging a cam track, not shown, at one side of the cam disc 68 which track may be at the right side of said disc as viewed in FIG. 1. The lever 70 is connected with the lower end of a link 76, the upper end of the link being connected with said bracket 60. As the disc 68 with its track is rotated, the lever 70 is oscillated and the bracket 60 and attached parts are reciprocated vertically. Springs 78 and 80 surround the link 76 and engage a stationary bracket 82 and said springs tend to hold the parts in an intermediate position.

A transverse lever 64 is provided which is centrally pivoted at 65 to the upright 56, by means of a link 66, the lever 64 is connected at the front with said bracket 60. A spring 67 is connected with the rear end of the lever 64 and said spring biases the lever 64 in the direction to tend to move the bracket 60 upwardly. Thus, the spring 67 serves as a counterbalance for the bracket 60 and for all parts carried thereby.

All of the described mechanisms for vertically moving the bracket 60 and for counterbalancing it are duplicated for similarly moving a similar bracket in the left portion of the machine. The two brackets are thus moved exactly in unison.

The bracket 60 carries a horizontal ball bearing 84 which is located between upper and lower longitudinal tracks 86 and 88 located within a recess in the rail 54. The bearing 84 and a similar bearing on the other bracket at the left support the rail and permit it to freely move longitudinally. Each of said brackets 60 has a longitudinally extending forward portion 90. For additionally guiding the rail 54, the portion 90 of each of said brackets carries vertical ball bearings 94 and 96 at the top and at the bottom thereof. These vertical bearings engage the tracks 86 and 88 on the rail 54 and prevent any tilting of the rail about a longitudinal axis.

The cam disc 68 has a cam track, not shown, at the side opposite the first said cam track, and a lever 98 is pivotally mounted on the frame by means of said pivot pin '72, this lever having a roll 100 engaging said opposite cam track. The lever 98 is connected by a link 102 with a rack i104 guided for transverse horizontal movement. The rack 104 meshes with a gear 106, on a vertical shaft 108 mounted in suitable bearings on the upright 56. Connected with the shaft 108 is a segmental gear which mes-hes with a longitudinal rack 112 secured to the rail 54. As the cam disc 68 is rotated, the lever 98 is oscillated and the rack 104 is reciprocated. The rack 104 effects oscillation of the gear 106 and of the shaft 108 and of the segmental gear 110. The gear 110 effects reciprocation of the rack 112 and of the rail 54 and of all parts carried by the rail. As has been explained, the rail and the parts thereon are reciprocated vertically. The width of the rack 112, particularly at the left portion thereof, is such that it remains in mesh with the gear 110 during vertical movement.

The link 102 comprises two end portions connected by a central threaded member 113. The threaded member 1113 constitutes means for adjusting the length of the link 102 so as to vary the left or trailing position of the rail 54 as shown in FIG. 1. The link 102 is connected with the lever 98 by means of a pivot pin 114 adjustable in a slot 115 in the lever. Adjustment of the pivot pin in said slot serves to vary the amplitude of reciprocatiton of the rail so that it may accurately conform to the said primary distance between stations.

As before stated, the rail 54 carries devices for picking up the components at the several stations and for transferring them toward the right. From stations I, II, III, IV, V and VI the components and assemblies are transferred to the next following stations II, III, IV, V, VI and VII. Station VII is sometimes herein referred to as constituting a receiving position. The rail 54 and the several pickup or transfer devices are shown in their upper trailing positions. The several pickup or transfer devices so far as shown are generally indicated respectively at 128, 130, 132 and 164. The device 128 is shown only in FIGS. 11 to 13 and in FIGS. 39 to 43.

Each of the transfer devices I128, 130, 132 and 134 includes suction cups and the suction to all of said cups is controlled by a main valve mechanism. A flexible hose 136 is connected with the suction valve mechanism, said hose being connected with a suction box 138 carried by the rail 54 near the center thereof. The suction box 138 is connected by a pipe 142 with a suction box 146 also mounted on said rail 54. Pipes 154, 156 and 158 respectively connect the box 146 with the transfer devices 130, 132 and 134. A similar pipe, not shown, provides suction to the transfer device 128.

The several transfer devices are or may be generally similar, but they differ as to the spacing of parts to meet the requirements at the several stations. Reference is made particularly to the transfer device 134 at station VI, which device is shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. Rigidly secured to the transfer rail 54 is a block 160 having openings therein communicating with the corresponding suction pipe such as the pipe 158. The block 160 carries a plate 161 and a second plate 162 is carried by the plate 161. The plate 162 is transversely adjustable relatively to the plate 161, the adjusting means not being shown. The plate 162 carries two longitudinal T-bars 164, 164 and blocks 166, 166 are carried by said bars and are longitudinally adjust-able. The blocks 166, 166 carry suction cups 168, 168 which are connected by means of flexible tubes 170, 172 with the suction openings in the block 160. Each block 166 with its suction cups 168,

168 constitutes a suction unit, and there may be two or more suction units on each T-bar 164. The plate 162 can be adjusted transversely and the suction units can be adjusted longitudinally for the size of the casing being made and to meet the requirements of a particular station.

The two cam tracks on the cam disc 68 are related in such manner that the horizontal and vertical movements of the rail and transfer devices are so coordinated that the rail and the transfer devices thereon are moved downwardly and then upwardly when the rail is in or near its trailing position and are again moved downwardly and then upwardly when the rail is in or near its leading position. FIG. 1 shows the rail in its upper trailing position. From the last said position, the rail 54 and the transfer devices are moved downwardly to engage the said transfer devices with the components and assemblies at the several stations. As the transfer devices reach their lower positions, the before-mentioned valve mechanism is operated to connect the various suction pipes on the rail 54 with the suction pump. With said pipes so connected, the transfer devices are operatively engaged with the components and assemblies so as to be ready to lift them. Then the rail and the transfer devices with the engaged components and assemblies are moved upwardly and are moved toward the right or in the leading direction to an extent exactly equal to the before-mentioned primary distance which is the spacing between stations. The rail is thus moved to its leading position, and from this position said rail and said transfer devices are moved downwardly and the before-mentioned valve mechanism is operated to disconnect the several suction pipes from the suction pump and to thus release the components and assemblies. After this, the rail and transfer devices are moved upwardly and toward the left to the initial or trailing positions as shown in FIG. 1.

Platforms are provided at stations IV, V and V1 for supporting the casing parts to be acted upon, these platforms being respectively designated 704, 816 and 389. The platforms 704 and 389 at stations IV and VI are vertically movable, and the platform 389 is shown in detail in FIG. 6.

Located below the platform 389 is a supporting member 390 fixedly supported on the main frame. The member 390 is recessed to receive compression springs 392, 392 which press upwardly against the platform, four such springs preferably being provided. Bolts 394, 394 have threaded engagement with the platform and they extend through the springs 392, 392 and through holes in the member 390. Heads on these bolts 394-, 394 definitely limit upward movement of the platform 389. Two or more dowel pins 396, 396 are secured to the platform 389 and enter holes in the member 390, these pins serving to guide the platform for vertical movement.

Stations IV and VIFOIding in general Stations IV and VI are folding stations for two separate folding operations. A folding means is located at the first folding station IV which is operable after the transfer to said station IV of the components assembled at said cloth assembly station, and this folding means serves for folding portions of the previously glued cover cloth around two opposite edges of the cover boards. Another folding means is located at the second folding station VI which is operable after the transfer to said station VI of the components assembled at said cloth assembly station and partly folded at the first folding station, and this second folding means serves for folding portions of the previously glued cover cloth around the two remaining exposed edges of said cover boards. As shown, the cover cloth, and the backstrip when provided, are folded at the first folding station around the rear and front edges of the boards and the cover cloth is folded at the second folding station around the side edges of the boards, but the invention is not necessarily so limited.

Station I VF irst folding mechaniszn-FI GS 7 to 16 In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, mechanism is provided at station IV for folding the backstrip E and the cover cloth sections F, F as indicated in the portion of FIG. 2 that is marked IV, said back strip and cover cloth sections being folded around the rear and front edges of the cover boards A, B and C.

Referring particularly to FIG. 7, the platform 704 is similar to the platform 389 that is shown in FIG. 6 and has previously been described. Parallel longitudinal fold bars 706 and 708 are provided which are respectively near the rear and near the front of said platform. The fold bars are located above the platform 704 and they have inner vertical faces that are spaced apart by a distance at least as great as the distance between the opposite upper and lower edges of the cover boards. The bars have horizontal lower faces which are initially in at least approximate engagement with the upper surface of the platform.

To effect folding, the bars 706 and 708 are pivotally movable in opposite directions about longitudinal axes which are at or near the lower inner corners of the bars. As shown, the pivotal axis of each bar is at the intersection of the inner face thereof and the bottom face thereof.

The rear fold bar 706 is carried at its ends by two pivot members 710 and 712 which have cylindrical portions rotatively movable in bearing apertures in blocks 714 and 716. In its initial position as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the rear bar 706 has its bottom face horizontal and said bar is so related to the pivot members that its lower forward corner is coincident with the axis of rotative movement. The bottom face of said bar and said axis are in or near the plane of the top of the platform 704 when the platform is in its upper position.

The forward fold bar 708 is carried at its ends by two pivot members 718 and 720 which are similar to the pivot members 710 and 712 and which have cylindrical portions rotatively movable in bearing apertures in blocks 722 and 724. In its initial position as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the front bar 708 has its bottom face horizontal and said bar is so related to its pivot members that its lower rear corner is approximately coincident with the axis of rotative movement. The bottom face of said bar and said axis are in or near the plane of the top of the platform 704 when the platform is in its upper position.

As best shown in FIG. 9, mechanism is provided for rotatively moving or oscillating the fold bars 706 and 708 through the bar 706 being initially moved counterclockwise and the bar 708 being initially moved clockwise. Otherwise stated, the movements of the bars are such that the folding or inner faces are moved toward each other. The mechanism for moving the fold bars includes a vertically movable slide 726 located at one end of the station and shown as being at the right end, said slide carrying a transverse bracket 728. For vertically reciprocating the slide 726 and the bracket 728, there is provided an arm 730 pivotally mounted on a longitudinal stud 731, said arm carrying a roller 732 which enters a transverse slot in the block 734 carried by the slide 726. A lever 736 is pivoted on a pivot pin 738 near the front and is connected by a link 739 with the lever 730. A cam disc 740 is secured to the main shaft 15 and a roller 741 on the lever 736 engages a cam track, not shown, on said disc 740. Said cam track serves to oscillate the levers 736 and 730 once during each cycle and to thus reciprocate the slide 726 and the bracket 728.

Secured to the pivot members 712 and 720 at the right ends thereof are pinions 742 and 744. Carried by said bearing blocks 716 and 724 are guides 746 and 748 for vertically movable racks 750 and 752, these racks meshing respectively with the pinions 742 and 744. The racks are connected with the bracket 728 for vertical reciprocation therewith. The extent of rack movement is such that the fold bars 766 and 708 are oscillated through 90 during each cycle. The timing of the oscillatory movement of the fold bars will be explained in connection with FIGS. 45 to 50'.

The bearing blocks 71-4, 716, 722 and 724 are mounted respectively on transversely movable slides 754, 756, 758 and 760'. Mechanism is provided for the reciprocation in unison of the several slides 754, 756, 758 and 760 and of the parts carried thereby, the slides 754 and 756 being moved rearwardly from the positions shown and the slides 758 and 760 being moved forwardly from the positions shown. As the slides 756 and 760 are reciprocated, the racks 756 and 752 move with them. The bracket 728 has a horizontal slot 761 and the racks have projections or tongues 7 62 and 7 63 which enter said slot and are movable therealong.

The several means for supporting and guiding the slides are similar, and that for the slide 756 is clearly shown in FIG. 8. Reference is also made to FIGS. 7 and 10. A longitudinal rockshaft 764 is located near the rear of the machine and two shorter longitudinal rockshafts 765 and 766 are located near the front. Connected respectively with the shafts 764 and 765 are levers 768 and 770 having inter-meshing gear segments thereon. Connected respectively with the shafts 76d and 766 are levers 772 and 774 having intermeshing gear segments thereon. For oscillating the several rockshafts there is provided a lever 776 pivotally mounted on said pivot pin 738, said lever being connected by a link 773 with one of said gear segment levers, such as the lever 772. The arm 776 carries a roller 78!) which engages a cam track, not shown, on said cam disc 74%. Said cam track serves to oscillate the lever 776 once during each cycle and to thus oscillate the rockshafts 764, 765 and 766 and all of the segment levers 768, 770, 772 and 774. The rockshafts 764 and 766 respectively carry two forked arms 7% and 792 which respectively embrace rollers 794 and 796 on the slides 756 and 766. The rockshafts 764 and 765 respectively carry two similar forked arms 782 and 784 which respectively embrace rollers 786 and 788 on the slides 754 and 758. Thus, when the lever 776 is oscillated, the several slides are transversely reciprocated as before stated, the fold bars being reciprocated with them. The timing of the reciprocating movements of the fold bars will be explained in connection with FIGS. 11 to 16.

The rear bearing blocks 714 and 716 and all parts carried thereby including the fold bar 766 are preferably adjustable on the slides 754 and 756 in the direction of slide reciprocation. They are so adjustable by means of screws 798 and 800 engaging brackets 862 and 304 on said slides. Said bearing blocks and said fold bar 706 are so adjustable for purposes of initial set-up and they are not ordinarily adjusted for different sizes of cases to be made.

The forward bearing blocks 722 and 724- and all parts carried thereby including the fold bar 763 are preferably adjustable on the slides 758 and 766 in the direction of slide reciprocation. They are so adjustable by means of screws 896 and 808 engaging brackets 810 and 812 on said slides. In order that the screws 806 and 868 may be turned in unison, they are connected with each other by a longitudinal shaft 314- and by bevel gearing. Said bearing blocks 722 and 724 and said fold bar 708 are adjusted in accordance with different transverse dimensions of the cases to be made.

As shown in FIG. 11, the fold bars 7% and 708 are horizontal and their lower faces are in or near the plane of the top of the platform 704, and said fold bar 708 is spaced from the fold bar 706 by a distance at least as great as the transverse dimension of the boards A, B and C. Preferably the spacing between the bars is greater than said transverse cover dimension. Assemblies of cover boards, backstrip and cover cloth sections, as assembled at stat-ion III, are transferred from said station III and to station IV by the pickup or transfer device 128. As each assembly reaches the position shown in FIG. 11, the initially projecting portions of the backstrip E and cover cloth sections F, F engage said fold bars 706 and 708. The mechanisms at stations II and III have been so adjusted that said backstrip and said cover cloth sections uniformly overlap the fold bars. For simplicity of illustration, the backstrip E is omitted.

The pickup or transfer device 1128 continues to move downwardly from the FIG. 11 position, and in moving to the FIG. 12 position, the projecting portions of the backstrip E and of the cover cloth sections F, F are partly or initially folded upwardly and around the rear and front edges of the boards A, B and C.

When the initial spacing between the fold bars is greater than the transverse dimention of the boards as shown in FIG. 11, the pivotal axes of the bars are at K, K. From the FIG. 11 positions, the bars are moved toward each other and they may be so moved simultaneously with the downward movement of the boards and cover cloth. In moving toward each other they approach the positions shown in FIG. 12 wherein their axes are at K K and the spacing between the bars is only very slightly greater than said transverse dimension of the cover boards. The last said movement serves to correct any minor transverse inaccuracy in the placing of said assembly. The fold bars are moved toward each other by the lever 776 and by the parts actuated thereby including the slides 754, 756, 758 and 760.

During said partial folding, the platform 704 may be moved downwardly so that the plane of the top of the boards is approximately coincident with the plane of the bottoms of the fold bars. This is the limit of downward movement. When the platform TM- is yieldably supported by springs, it is moved downwardly in opposition to the springs by the downwardly moving transfer device 128.

With all other parts remaining in the same positions as in FIG. 12, the fold bars 706 are oppositely turned as shown in FIG. 13, the rear bar 766 being turned counterclockwise about its axis K coincident with its lower front corner and the forward bar 708 being turned clockwise about its axis K coincident with its lower rear corner. This movement is effected by the lever 736 and by the parts actuated thereby including the racks 750 and 752. Thus, the fold bars complete the folding of the projecting portions of the backstrip and cover cloth sections. In order for the fold bars to move to the positions shown in FIG. 13, it is necessary to effect a relative vertical movement to provide space between the top of the platform and the bottoms of the fold bars when said bars have been turned. This space is necessary to accommodate the combined thickness of the boards B and the cover cloth section as shown in FIG. 13. In the mechanism as shown in FIGS. 11 to 16 the platform is moved downwardly to provide the required space. The platform is so moved in opposition to springs such as 392, 392 and the springs then applying upward pressure. When the parts are in the FIG. 13 positions, the springs bias the platform upwardly and these springs constitute resilient means for applying pressure between the fold bars and the platform when the bars are in their turned positions.

With the fold bars remaining in the same positions as in 'FIG. 13, the pickup or transfer device 128 is moved upwardly and then returned toward the left as viewed in FIG. 1. At the same time, the pickup or transfer device 139 is moved toward the left and is then moved downwardly to engage the casing assembly as shown in FIG. 14. During this interval, the fold bars 766 and 70S hold the folded portions of the backstrip and cover cloth sections to assure adherence of the glue and also to prevent any shifting of the assembly along the platform.

Immediately following the engagement of the casing assembly by the pickup or transfer device 130, the fold 11 bars 706 and 708 are reversely turned to the positions shown in FIG. 15, these being the same positions as shown in FIG. 12. The fold bars are so moved by the lever 736 and the racks 758 and 752.

Immediately following the turning of the fold bars to the FIG. 15 positions, said bars are moved bodily rearwardly and forwardly to the positions shown in FIG. 16. The bars are so moved by the lever 776 and the slides 754, 756, 758 and 768. The bars are thus entirely clear from the casing assembly to prevent any rubbing or scraping of the newly folded backstrip and cover cloth sections as the assembly is moved upwardly by the pickup device 138 preparatory to movement thereof to the next following station V.

As the case assembly moves upwardly, the platform moves with it and returns to the FIG. 11 position. Immediately following the upward movement of the case assembly and the platform from the FIG. 16 position, the fold bars 786 and 768 are moved respectively forwardly and rearwardly to the positions shown in FIG. 11. When they reach the FIG. 11 positions, the fold bars are ready to receive the next following case assembly.

Pressing r creasing in general-Fl GS. 17 to 20 Means is provided for pressing or creasing the partly folded cover cloth after the first folding operation so as to insure smooth folding during the second folding operation. The pressing or creasing will be understood by referring to FIGS. 17 to 20.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show one corner of a book casing as it appears immediately after the first folding operation. Referring particularly to FIG. 18, it will be seen that the projecting cover cloth portion F at the left must be folded upwardly and toward the right around the edge of the cover board A. In being so folded, the portion F must engage the cover cloth portion F and the exact bending or folding of said portion F would be unpredictable and the final fold would in many instances be objectionably rough or irregular. In order to be assured of a smooth and definite final fold, the cover cloth portion F is pressed or creased at H as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. After creasing, the portion F" adheres to the portion F and the final folding of the portion F is definite and smooth.

The means for effecting pressing or creasing as above explained may be variously located, but, as shown, creasing is effected at a separate creasing station which is station V.

Station VCrcasing meclznnismFlGS. 21 to 26 Referring particularly to FIGS. 21 and 22, a platform 816 is provided at station V and said platform preferably differs in its mounting from other platforms that have been described. As shown, the platform 816 is rigidly connected with a vertically movable post 818 guided in hearings in brackets 828 and 822. Connected with the platform is a pin 824 which enters an aperture in the bracket 820 to prevent the platform from moving about the axis of the post 818. Said post 818 and the platform are biased upwardly by a spring 826 connected at its lower end with said post and connected at its upper end with said bracket 828. A suitable means, not shown, limits upward movement of the post and of the platform.

Two similar longitudinally spaced slides 828 and 830 are provided, these slides extending transversely and being movable transversely. Said slides are guided at their rear portions by two similar brackets 832 and 834 and said slides are guided at their front portions by two similar brackets 836 and 838. In order that the slides 828 and 830 may be adjusted to change the longitudinal spacing between them, each of said brackets 832, 834, 836 and 838 is a longitudinally movable slide guided for movement along the tops of the main frame members 13 and 12, as clearly shown in FIG. 26. In order that said slides 828 and 830 may be uniformly adjusted longitudinally, said carrier slides 832 and 834 are connected with each other by two longitudinal screws 840 and 842 and said carrier slides 836 and 838 are connected with each other by two longitudinal screws 844 and 846. The screws 840 and 842 are rigidly connected with each other at their adjacent ends and the screw 842 is rotatable in a bracket 848 which prevents longitudinal movement. The screws 844 and 846 are similarly related to each other and to the slides 836 and 838, and the screw 846 is rotatable in a bracket 850 which prevents longitudinal movement. Said screws 840 and 842 are oppositely threaded and they are respectively in engagement with the slides 832 and 834' and said screws 844 and 846 are oppositely threaded and they are respectively in engagement with the slides 836 and 838, the result being that said slides move in opposite directions when the screws are rotated. The screws at the rear and those at the front are operatively connected with each other by a transverse shaft 852 and by suitable bevel gearing. By rotating the shaft 852, the slides 828 and 830 are moved in opposite directions so that the spacing between them can be adjusted in accordance with the longitudinal dimension of the cases to be made.

For reciprocating the slides 828 and 830 forwardly and rearwardly, there is provided a lever 854 mounted on a pivot pin 856 near the front, this lever having a roller 858 which cooperates with a cam track, not shown, on a cam disc 860 on the main cam shaft 15. Mounted in brackets 862 and 864 at the rear of the machine is a rockshaft 866. A lever 868 is rigidly secured to said shaft 866 and said lever is connected with the lever 854 by means of a link 870. Extending upwardly from the rockshaft 866 and adjacent the brackets 862 and 864 are two levers 872, 872, one of which is shown in FIG. 22 and the other of which is shown in FIG. 23. The said levers 872 at the upper ends thereof carry a longitudinal shaft 874. Secured respectively to said slides 828 and 830 are brackets 876 and 878. Fitted in each of these brackets is a vertically movable block 880 having a bearing aperture through which the shaft 874 extends. When the slides 828 and 830 are moved longitudinally of the machine for purposes of adjustment, said brackets 876 and 878 are similarly moved along the shaft 874. During operation of the machine, the cam track on the disc 868 serves to oscillate the lever 854 once during each cycle and said lever in turn oscillates the levers 868 and 872. The levers 872 serve by means of the shaft 874 to reciprocate the slides 828 and 838. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the slides are in intermediate positions.

In order to effect creasing, each of the slides 828 and 838 is provided with two creasing devices, said devices being respectively designated 882, 884, 886 and 888. These four creasing devices are similar to each other except for reversal of parts and it will be sufficient to par- .ticularly describe the creasing device 886 on the slide 828.

Each of the slides 828 and 838 has a longitudinal T- slot 898 therein. Each creasing device includes a block 892 movable along the slide and having a tongue entering the corresponding T-slot. The block can be clamped in place by means of a T-bolt 894. A lever 896 is pivoted to the block 892 and 898 and this lever carries a creasing tool 908 and a roller 982. The lever 896 is biased in the clockwise direction by means of a spring 904 and a screw 986 provides a stop to limit movement of the lever. As the creasing device 886 is moved rearwardly from the position shown, the creasing tool 980 engages the corresponding cover cloth portion F to form the crease H, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. The roller 982 is spaced closely behind the tool 900 and this roller serves to press the cover portion F against the cover portion F.

It is necessary, or at least desirable, to provide means for firmly holding the book casing assembly in place on the platform 816 during the operation of the several creasing devices. As shown, mechanical devices are provided for clamping the cover assembly in place.

Two clamping levers 908 and 910 are pivotally connected respectively to the carrier slides 832 and 834 for longitudinal adjustment therewith, the pivotal connection for one lever being shown at 911. The levers are biased to their clamping positions by means of springs 912 and 914, but FIG. 22 shows the levers 908 in their released or disengaged position.

A longitudinal rockshaft 916 is mounted in suitable bearings near the rear of the machine and this lever has two upwardly extending levers 918 which carry a longitudinal presser bar 920. The bar 920 is engageable with rollers 922 at the lower ends of the clamping levers 908 and 910. For oscillating the shaft 916, there is provided a lever 924 mounted on said pivot pin 856, this lever having a roller 926 which cooperates with a cam track, not shown, on said cam disc 860. A lever 928 is secured to said rockshaft 916 and a link 930 connects said lever 924 with said lever 928.

The timing is such that the clamping levers 908 and 910 are held in the positions shown in FIG. 22 while one casing assembly is being removed from the platform 816 and while the next following casing assembly is being transferred thereto. Immediately following the transfer of a casing assembly to said platform, the presser bar 920 is moved rearwardly to the position shown in FIG. 26 and the springs 912 and 914 move the clamping levers 908 and 910 forwardly and downwardly to engage the newly transferred casing assembly near the top edge thereof.

As before stated, the slides 828 and 830 are shown in their intermediate positions. As soon as a casing assembly is transferred to the platform 816 and is clamped thereon as above described, the slides 828 and 830 are moved forwardly to enable the creasing devices 882 and 884 to effect creasing at the rear left corner and at the rear right corner of the casing assembly. Immediately thereafter, the slides 828 and 830 are moved rearwardly beyond the positions shown to enable the creasing devices 886 and 888 to effect creasing at the forward left corner and at the forward right corner of the casing assembly. Then the slides are returned to the intermediate positions shown and the clamping levers are returned to the positions shown in FIG. 22 so that the creased casing assembly can be transferred to the next following station VI.

Station Vlsecnd folding mechanismFlGS. 27 and 28 Mechanism is provided at station VI for folding the cover cloth sections F, F as indicated in the portion of FIG. 2 that is marked VI, said cover sections being folded around the left and right edges of the cover boards A and B.

Referring particularly to FIG. 27, the platform 389 is provided at said station VI, said platform being shown in FIG. 6 and having been previously described. Transverse fold bars 934 and 936 are provided which are respectively near the left and near the right of said platform. These bars 934 and 936 are generally similar to the fold bars 706 and 708 at station IV and they are movable to effect the last above-mentioned folding of the cover sections.

The left fold bar 934 is carried at its ends by two pivot member 938 and 940 which have cylindrical portions relatively movable in bearing apertures in blocks 942 and 944. The right fold bar 936 is carried at its ends by two pivot members 946 and 948 which are similar to the pivot members 938 and 940 and which have cylindrical portions rotatively movable in bearing apertures in blocks 950 and 952. The fold bars 934 and 936 are rectangular and they are related to the pivot members and to the platform in the same manner as previously described for the fold bars 706 and 708. Said bars 934 and 936 are relatively movable as before described in connection with said bars 706 and 708.

The mechanism for rotatively moving or oscillating the fold bars 734 and 736 through includes a vertically movable slide 954 located at the front, said slide carrying a transverse bracket 956. A suitable mechanism including a link 958 is provided for vertically reciprocating the slide 954 and the bracket 956. This mechanism is not shown in detail, but it may be generally similar to the mechanism for reciprocating the slide 726 and the bracket 728 at station IV.

Secured to the pivot members 940 and 948 at the front ends thereof are pinions 960 and 962. Carried by said bearing blocks 944 and 952 are guides 964 and 966 for vertically movable racks 968 and 970, these racks meshing respectively with the pinions 960 and 962. The racks are connected with the bracket 956 for vertical reciprocation therewith. The extent of rack movement is such that the fold bars 934 and 936 are oscillated as before stated during each cycle.

The bearing blocks 942, 944, 946 and 948 are mounted respectively on longitudinally movable slides 972, 974, 976 and 978. Mechanism is provided for the reciprocation in unison of the several said slides and of the parts carried thereby, the slides 972 and 974 being moved toward the left form the positions shown and the slides 976 and 978 being moved toward the right from the positions shown. As the slides 974 and 978 are reciprocated, the racks 968 and 970 move with them. The bracket 956 has a horizontal slot 980 and the racks have projections or tongues 982 and 984 which enter said slot and are movable therealong.

A transverse rockshaft 986 is located near the right and a second transverse rockshaft 988 is located near the left. Connected respectively with the shafts 986 and 988 are levers 992 and 994 having intermeshing gear segments thereon. A suitable mechanism is provided for oscillating the two rockshafts, and this mechanism includes a link 996 connected with one of the levers 992 and 994. Said mechanism is not shown in detail, but it may be generally similar to the mechanism for oscillating the rockshafts 763, 764 and 765 at station IV. The rockshaft 988 carries two forked arms 998 and 1000 which respectively embrace rollers on the slides 972 and 974. The rockshaft 986 carries two similar forked arms 1002 and 1004 which respectively embrace rollers on the slides 976 and 978. Thus, when the rockshafts are oscillated, the several slides are longitudinally reciprocated as before stated, the fold bars 934 and 936 being reciprocated with them.

The left and right bearing blocks and all parts carried thereby, including the fold bars 934 and 936, are preferably adjustable on their slides in the direction of slide reciprocation. The rear blocks are so adjustable by means of screws 1006 and 1008, and the forward blocks are so adjustable by means of screws 1010 and 1012 The screws at the front are similar to those at the rear, and it will be sufficient to describe those at the rear.

The screws 1006 and 1008 are oppositely threaded and they respectively engage the blocks 942 and 950. At their adjacent ends, the two screws are respectively connected with members 1014 and 1016 which engage each other in such a manner as to transmit rotative motion while permitting relatively longitudinal motion. Thus, the slides 992 and 976 are free for independent longitudinal movement as previously described. The screw 1008 extends through a stationary bracket 1018 which prevents longitudinal movement of said screw.

The screw 1012 extends through a stationary bracket 1020 which is similar to the bracket 1018 and which prevents longitudinal movement of said screw. The screws 1010 and 1012 are connected with each other by means of a transverse shaft 1022 and by suitable bevel gearing. When the shaft 1022 is turned, the bearing blocks for the two fold bars are moved in unison either toward each other or away from each other, being always equally spaced from a central transverse plane. In

15 this way, the fold bars can be adjusted to accommodate casings for books of different widths.

The sequence of movements and operations for the second fold mechanism is substantially the same as for the first fold mechanism as described in connection with FIGS. 11 to 16. Repetition is unnecessary.

Station VII-pressing and forward transfer mechanismFIG. 1

At station VII, there is provided a broad endless conveyor belt, the upper run of which moves forwardly. After the second folding operation, the casing assemblies are transferred by said pickup or transfer device 134 from station VI and onto said belt. The belt moves the completed cases forwardly and they pass between lower and upper pressing rolls 1023 and 1024. The belt is behind said rolls and is therefore not shown. Said pressing rolls are driven from the shaft 30 by means of gearing generally indicated at 1025.

From the pressing rolls 1023 and 1024 the cases move forwardly onto a second conveyor belt generally indicated at 1026 and having its upper run moving forwardly.

Alternative folding mechanism -FlGS. 29 to 44 The alternative folding mechanism shown in FIGS. 29 to 44 may be substituted at station VI for the second folding mechanism shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. This alternative mechanism is generally similar, but it differs in important details. An alternative folding mechanism similar in principle to that shown in FIGS. 29 to 44 may be substituted for the first folding mechanism shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, but this last said alternative mechanism is not herein shown.

Referring particularly to FIG. 29, a cam disc 1027 is provided on the shaft 15 at station VI. A vertically movable slide 1028 is guided by a block 1029 connected to the front frame member 12. The slide 1028 is vertically reciprocated by a lever 1030 pivoted at 1032 on the rear frame member 13. The lever 1030 is provided with a roller 1034 which engages a cam track, not shown, on the disc 1027.

As shown in FIG. 30, there are two transverse fold bars 1034 and 1036, these bars corresponding generally to the fold bars 934 and 936 shown in FIG. 27. These fold bars 1034 and 1036 are rotatively movable about axes that extend longitudinally of the bars and transversely of the machine. The bars have trunnions 1038 at their ends, one trunnion being shown in FIGS. 33, 34 and 35. For the left bar 1034, the axis M of the trunnions is in the plane of the bottom face of the bar and in the plane of the right face thereof, as will be apparent from FIG. 33. For the left bar 1036, the axis of the trunnions is in the plane of the bottom face of the bar and in the plane of the left face thereof. In their initial or normal positions, the bottom faces of the bars 1034 and 1036 are in engagement with a platform 1040. The platform 1040 corresponds generally to the platform 389 shown in FIG. 27, but the platform 1040 is in a fixed position and is not yieldable downwardly.

The trunnions 1038 of the left bar 1034 are rotatively movable in bearings carried by slides 1042, 1042, and the trunnions 1038 of the right bar 1036 are rotatively movable in bearings carried by slides 1044, 1044. The slides 1042, 1042 are guided for movement longitudinally of the machine by guide bars 1046 and 1048 which respectively enter and fit a slot in a block 1049 on the front frame member 12 and a slot in a block 1050 on the rear frame member 13. The slides 1044 are similarly guided by similar guide bars and blocks which are not shown. A mechanism similar to that shown in FIG. 27 may be provided for longitudinally moving or adjusting the slides 1042 and 1044 in accordance with the width dimensions of the cases to be made, but this mechanism has been omitted from the drawings for simplicity of illustration.

Similar mechanisms are provided for rotatively moving 1 6 the two fold bars, and that for the left fold bar 1034 will be described. A transverse shaft 1052 is rotatably mounted in hearings in the slides 1042, 1042. Gears 1054, 1054 are secured to the ends of the shaft 1052 and these gears mesh with gears 1056, 1056 on the trunnions 1038. A bracket 1058 is secured to the slide 1028 for vertical movement with said slide, the bracket having a horizontal top face. An arm 1060 is secured to the shaft 1052, this arm having a roller 1062 which engages the top face of the bracket 1058. As the bracket reciprocates vertically, the arm 1060 and the roller 1062 serve to oscillate the shaft 1052, and by means of the gears 1054 and 1056, the shaft 1052 serves to oscillate the fold bar 1034. The bracket 1058 is reciprocated to such an extent that the fold bar 1034 is oscillated through As will be evident from FIGS. 31 and 32, the arms 1062 for the two fold bars are oppositely inclined so that the fold bars are oscillated in opposite directions. From their initial positions, the left fold bar 1034 is moved clockwise and the right fold bar 1036 is moved counterclockwise. The horizontal top face of the bracket 1058 permits the slides and the fold bars to be adjusted longitudinally of the machine without interfering with the described oscillatory movements.

In addition to being oscillated, the fold bars are bodily moved longitudinally of the machine in conjunction with each oscillation. The means for effecting bodily movement is best shown in FIGS. 31 to 34. The bearings for the trunnions 1038 of the two fold bars are in blocks 1064 and 1066 which are movable longitudinally of the machine and relatively to the slides 1042 and 1044. The bearing blocks 1064 for the left fold bar 1034 are biased toward the left by springs 1068 and the blocks 1066 for the right fold bar 1036 are biased toward the right by springs 1070. Secured to the trunnions 1038 for the fold bars 1034 and 1036 are cam discs 1072, 1072 and 1074, 1074. The peripheries of the cam discs engage rollers 1076 and 1078 on the slides 1042, 1042 and 1044, 1044. The cam discs have depressions therein and when the discs are in the positions shown in FIG. 31, the left fold bar 1034 is in its extreme left position and the right fold bar 1036 is in its extreme right position. When the cam discs are moved clockwise and counterclockwise to the positions shown in FIG. 32, the fold bars 1034 and 1036 are bodily moved respectively toward the right and toward the left.

As best known in FIGS. 33 and 34, each cam disc 1072 or 1074 is connected with the corresponding trunnion 1038 by a lost motion device. As shown, the lost motion device includes a pin 1080, the ends of which are entered in arcuate slots in the gear 1056. Thus the fold bars are turned as previously described only after said bars have been bodily moved toward each other.

Each fold bar 1034 or 1036 is a composite structure as shown in FIGS. 35 to 38. Each bar comprises a main body 1082 secured to the trunnion members by screws 1084. Each fold bar, at the side that faces toward the other bar, has a two-part pressure member 1086 which extends throughout the length of the bar. The two parts of the pressure member are connected by screws 1088 as shown in FIG. 36. As shown in FIG. 37, springs 1090 which are distributed longitudinally of the fold bars bias the pressure member away from the body 1082. As shown in FIG. 38, screws 1092 which are distributed longitudinally of the fold bar limit movement away from the body 1082.

The folding mechanism shown in FIGS. 29 to 38 1s adapted for use as an alternative to the folding mechanism shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 and it is adapted to be used at Station VI. It has been stated that a mechanism similar to that shown in FIGS. 29 to 38 may be provided as an alternative to the mechanism shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 and adapted to be used at Station IV. In order that the operation of one of the alternative mechanisms may be clearly understood and compared with the operation of one of 

